Swing out twin tissue dispenser



Aug. 14, 1962 M. w. WOLFE 3,049,310

SWING OUT TWIN TISSUE DISPENSER Filed April 5. 1960 291 2&

INVENTOR.

Mf/PR/TT M W04 FE 2% BY United States Patent ()fitice 3,049,310 PatentedAug. 14, 1962 3,049,310 SWING OUT TWIN TISSUE DISPENSER Merritt W.Wolfe, Mount Carmel Center, Waco, Tex. Filed Apr. 5, 1960, Ser. No.20,140 3 Claims. (Cl. 24-553) This invention relates to a holding anddispensing device, and more particularly to a device for holding anddispensing a plurality of rolls of material such as rolls of toiletpaper.

The object of the invention is to provide a device which is adapted toconveniently support a pair or more of rolls of material such as rollsof paper wherein several rolls of paper will be conveniently supportedso that there will be less likelihood of the supply of paper becomingexhausted when needed since in the event that one roll of paper is usedup, another roll of paper will be handy or readily accesible, andwherein the present invention also includes a highly novel means ofsupporting the rolls of paper as well as permitting replacement of therolls of paper when desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide a swing out twin tissuedispenser for carrying several rolls of tissue at one time, thedispenser of the present invention being quickly and readily servicedand wherein the device is durable and wherein the present invention isconstructed so that the possibility of a support for the roll of paperbeing accidentally dropped as for example being dropped down into asewer, is eliminated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a swing out twin tissuedispenser which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of thefollowing description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and inwhich like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout thesame:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the swing out twin tissue dispenser ofthe present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the swing out twin tissuedispenser of the present invention, with parts broken away and insection.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the presentinvention and showing the bars in open position, as for example when anew roll of paper is to be mounted thereon.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral indicates the swing outtwin tissue dispenser of the present invention which comprises a supportmember which is indicated generally by the numeral 11, and the supportmember 11 includes a back wall 12 as well as spaced parallel verticallydisposed side walls 13, horizontally disposed spaced parallel top andbottom walls 14 and 15, and the numeral 16 indicates a rectangular framewhich is on the outer front portion of the support member 11. As shownin FIGURE 1 for example the frame 16 includes vertically disposed spacedparallel side portions 17 and 18 as well as horizontally disposed spacedparallel top and bottom portions 19 and 20. The frame 16 is providedwith openings such as the openings 21 whereby suitable securing elementssuch as screws can be extended through these openings 21 and intoengagement with a wall or supporting structure 22, as for example thewall 22 may be a wall in the bathroom of a home or other area.

Secured to the portion 17 of the frame 16 or formed integral therewithis a pair of spaced apart superimposed socket members or bearings 23 and24. These members 23 and 24 are provided with openings or recesses 25and 26, FIGURE 2, and the numeral 27 indicates a vertically movable rodwhich has its ends engaging the openings 25 and 26, and the openings 25and 26 are shaped or arranged in such a manner that the distance betweenthe outer extremities of the openings 25 and 26 is greater than thelength of the rod 27 so as to provide clearance whereby the rod 27 canbe manually shifted upward for a purpose to be later described.

There is further provided at least two horizontally disposed spacedparallel bars 28 which each have an end secured to or formed integralwith the rod 27, and the free ends of the bars 28 are adapted toselectively engage recessed seat portions 30 in keepers or catches 29.The keepers or catches 29 may be secured to or formed integral with theportion 18 of the frame 16, and the recessed seat portions 34 extendbetween the tops of the keepers and an intermediate point in thekeepers, as shown in the drawings. The distance between the outerextremities of the openings 25 and 26 is of such a size that the rod 27can be manually raised in order to provide suflicient clearance wherebythe bars 28 will be above the tops of the keepers 29 so that the bars 28can be swung outwardly from the position shown in FIGURE 1 for exampleto the position shown in FIGURE 4 and it is to be noted that the rod 27is rotatably or pivotally supported in the socket members 23 and 24.After the rolls of paper have been inserted on the bars 28, the bars 28are returned to the position shown in FIGURE 1, and it is to beunderstood that due to gravity the rod 27 will move to its lowermostposition in the openings 25 and 26, and the ends of the bars 28 will besnugly seated in the recessed portions 30' so that accidental pivotal orswinging movement of the bars and rods will be prevented. Then, when aperson desires to use the paper it is only necessary to grip the endportion of the paper on one of the rolls 31 and the paper can bedispensed or removed from the roll as needed. Since more than one rollis conveniently supported by the present invention, it will be notedthat when one roll has worn out, there is always another rollconveniently accessible.

The support member includes curved end surfaces 32, and it is to benoted that the back wall 12 is spaced away from the bars 28 a sufliicentdistance, so that when the bars are in their closed position, as forexample as shown in FIGURE 3 there is sufiicient clearance for the rollof paper 31 which is being handled. The frame 16 is provided with edgeportions 33 which may be pointed or tapered so as to provide a tight orsnug fit between the frame 16 and 'a wall such as the wall 22.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a swingout twin tissue dispenser which is especially suit-able for use insupporting a plurality of rolls of paper, as for example a pair of rollsof toilet paper can be conveniently supported in a bathroom. While thepresent invention has been described for use in supporting a pair ofrolls of toilet paper, it is to be understood that more than two rollsof paper can be supported by providing additional keepers and bars, andalso the present invention can be used for supporting other materialsbesides toilet paper.

When the device is being used, the member 10 is fastened and positionedin the desired location as for example the support member 11 is extendedthrough a suitable opening such as the opening 34 in a wall 22 which maybe the wall of a bathroom or the like. The frame 16 may be fastened tothe wall 22 by means of securing elements such as screws extendedthrough the openings 21 and then, to load the device, the rod 27 ismanually moved upwardly in the openings 25 and 26 so that the bars 23will clear the tops of the keepers 29 and then each of the bars 28 mayhave a roll of toilet paper positioned thereon whereby the bars 28 canthen be returned from the position shown in FIGURE 4 for example to theposition shown in FIGURE 3 and when the rod 27 is released, the weightof the rod and bar and rolls of paper will urge the free ends of thebars 28 down into the seat portions 30 so that further swinging movementof the rod and bars will be prevented. Then, when the paper is needed,it is only necessary to manually grip an end portion of the paper andunroll the same in the usual manner and then when one roll of paperbecomes used up, the other roll can be used and this has the advantageof insuring that there is less likelihood of a person not finding paperavailable when it is needed most.

The openings 25 and 26 are shaped or spaced in such a manner thatclearance is provided for permitting the rod 27 to be moved upwardly asfor example when the bars 28 are to clear the keepers 29.

The parts may be made of any suitable material and in different shapesor sizes.

The member 11 constitutes a fiush mounting toilet tissue dispenser boxand as previously stated two rolls of tissue are supported at one time.The tissue is carried on two connected hinged unremovable horizontalcarriers or bars 28 and these bars are secured as by welding to thevertical supporting shaft or rod 27, the rod fitting into the sockets 23and 24. The upper socket 23 is recessed sufficiently as at 25 to permitthe shaft or rod 27 to be lifted somewhat but not enough to clear thelower socket 24 so that by lifting the rod 27, the bars or carriers 28are permitted to clear the catches or keepers 29. As the members 28 riseand clear the keepers they are free to swing outward a full 90 degreesfor the purpose of removing empty tissue spools or replacing new rolls.

Some of the further advantages of the swing out twin tissue dispenser ofthe present invention are its ability to carry two rolls of tissue atonce, so as to provide a roll which is ready for use when the one rollis empty, and also the fixed bars or carriers 28 which eliminate thehazard of possibly dropping a conventional carrier or empty spool downthe sewer. In addition the swing out feature makes it much easier andfaster to service the dispenser and the entire unit with its twin rollsand swing out carriers saves time, labor, money, plugged traps andunnecessary bathroom embarrassment and the device is practical,attractive, economical and durably constructed.

By curving the member as indicated by the numeral 32 for example, themember will be easier to form in manufacturing, and wherein thiscurvature will also help eliminate dirt from catching the corners andwill insure that the device will be easier to keep clean. A rolled edge33 tends to strengthen frame and makes for a tighter seal against thewall.

The fixture can be secured in place by filling the hole prepared for itin the wall with spackling paste, joint cement, or the like, andpressing the fixture back into the cement, and this method would benecessary for tile and construction and the like.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming withinthe field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, ifdesired.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the character described, a support member including aback wall, spaced parallel vertically disposed side walls, top andbottom sections, a rectangular frame on the outer front portion of saidsupport member, said frame including horizontally disposed spacedparallel top and bottom portions, and vertically disposed first andsecond side portions; a pair of spaced apart superimposed socket membersaffixed to the first vertically disposed side portion of said frame,there being opposed openings in said socket members, a verticallymovable rod having its ends engaging said openings, a pair of spacedparallel horizontally disposed bars arranged at right angles to said rodand afiixed thereto, and a pair of spaced parallel keepers affixed tothe second vertically disposed portion of said frame for selectivelyreceiving the free ends of said bars.

2. In a device of the character described, a support member including aback wall, spaced parallel vertically disposed side walls, top andbottom sections, a rectangular frame on the outer front portion of saidsupport member, said frame including horizontally disposed spacedparallel top and bottom portions, and vertically disposed first andsecond side portions; a pair of spaced apart superimposed socket membersafl'ixed to the first vertically disposed side portion of said frame,there being opposed openings in said socket members, a verticallymovable rod having its ends engaging said open ings, a pair of spacedparallel horizontally disposed bars arranged at right angles to said rodand afiixed thereto, and a pair of spaced parallel keepers affixed tothe second vertically disposed portion of said frame for selectivelyreceiving the free ends of said bars, each of said keepers including arecessed scat which is formed between the top of the keeper andintermediate part of the keeper.

3. In a device of the character described, a support member including aback wall, spaced parallel vertically disposed side walls, top andbottom sections, a rectangular frame on the outer front portion of saidsupport member, said frame including horizontally disposed spacedparallel top and bottom portions, and vertically disposed first andsecond side portions; a pair of spaced apart superimposed socket membersatfixed to the first vertically disposed side portion of said frame,there being opposed openings in said socket members, a verticallymovable rod having its ends engaging said openings, a pair of spacedparallel horizontally disposed bars arranged at right angles to said rodand afiixed thereto, and a pair of spaced parallel keepers affiexd tothe second vertically disposed portion of said frame for selectivelyreceiving the free ends of said bars, each of said keepers including arecessed seat which is formed between the top of the keeper andintermediate part of the keeper, the distance between the upperextremity of the upper one of said pair of openings and the rod beinggreater than the length of the recessed seats in the keeper so that whendesired, the rod can be manually moved upward to permit the bars toclear the keepers in order to permit pivotal movement of the rod andbars.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,466,957 Lewis Apr. 12, 1949 2,517,809 Tarzian Aug. 8, 1950 2,733,017Chrzanowski Jan. 31, 1956 2,957,644 Beardslee Oct. 25, 1960

